This course provides a critical and interdisciplinary overview of the major legal and political developments that have shaped - and continue to shape - Japanese society. Drawing on perspectives from political science, law, history, and sociology, the course emphasizes both top-down and bottom-up processes in Japanese governance. It focuses on how law operates within society, particularly through constitutional, criminal, and civil law. However, the aim is not to analyze these laws in isolation, but to explore how they function within the social fabric of Japan. Law is a fundamental aspect of everyday life in all societies: it provides predictability, helps avoid anarchy, and secures cooperation among members of society by prioritizing the common good over individual gain (law as a tool for stability in society). Law is also a tool for action when people or groups feel excluded, discriminated against, or believe they are being treated unjustly (law as a tool for social change). This course examines the central features of Japan's legal system, viewing law as a social institution and exploring its relationship with other societal systems. We will focus on the role of key actors in the legal system and the interplay between social stability, and change. Additionally, the course emphasizes the relationship between law and broader economic, political, and social processes. From the perspective of the sociology of law (or socio-legal studies), we will examine how law serves as both a practical resource for addressing social issues (a tool for change) and a set of shared representations and aspirations (for stability). The course will explore how legal professionals (lawyers, judges, law enforcement officers) and ordinary citizens mobilize and use law. Due to time constraints, we cannot cover every aspect of Japan’s legal system or every actor involved. Instead, we will focus on key topics that illustrate the situational and systemic demands placed on actors within the legal system. At the same time, we will seek to identify patterns in how law interacts with and influences society. Some of the topics we will address include Japan’s exceptional record in economic development, crime control, and its low litigation rate. These topics exemplify why Japan's legal system is so efficient; not only by examining how it functions today, but also by tracing its historical roots and understanding why it evolved in this way. We will also address topics such as the death penalty, wrongful convictions, same-sex marriage, and other areas of social activism where law is used to drive social change. These topics reflect the "reverse side of the coin," where law may not function effectively, and social activism seeks to change the situation. In sum, we will analyze the actual evolution of the rule of law in both the past and present, with an eye on the future of Japan and its place in a globalizing world. Therefore, this course combines methodologies from the sociology of law and legal history. We will also critically assess the limitations of law in Japan, asking which social issues remain unresolved by the legal system. Is Japan’s legal system an example for other countries to follow, or not? Ultimately, the goal is to critically examine both the merits and flaws of Japan's legal system in an informed and balanced manner. By studying how conflicts are resolved, how social order is maintained, how movements for social change emerge, and how legal frameworks operate within Japan’s socio-political context, students will develop a comprehensive understanding of Japan’s legal system from the Meiji era (1868–1945) to the present day. Each class will begin with a methodological introduction, providing students with tools from the sociology of law, followed by the analysis of primary materials (e.g., court decisions, political speeches, legislative texts, personal diaries) and secondary readings that offer academic context.

This course is designed to help each student who has no or little technical background to acquire basic knowledge, skills, and self-confidence which are necessary to live as a responsible citizen in this information age and to have a foundation for better understand of problems in modern Asian societies that are increasingly dependent on information and communication technologies. Recent advancement of smartphones, AI, and various cloud services has made it much easier to use the fruits of these technologies, but to use them appropriately and securely, it is essential to understand the underlying technologies and systems that are not directly visible. This course aims to deepen this understanding through lectures accompanied by hands-on sessions.

This course aims to help students engage with the key theories and methodologies used in affect and sensory studies and critically assess whether—and how—these fields contribute to expanding and deepening existing scholarly knowledge.

In this seminar we practice foundational ways of thinking about the complex relationship between digital technology and society, with a focus on recent developments in software such as AI and automated decision-making and their underlying technical infrastructures. How do artificial intelligence and the pervasive use of algorithms affect culture and society? How is the need for rare earths to drive chip production connected to geopolitical shifts and conflicts? The seminar combines readings of recent studies in software studies and science and technology studies with hands-on exercises.

• Demonstrate a clear grasp of the core concepts, such as globalisation, Anthropocene, planetarity or earth, and contending definitions of them. • Distinguish between the economic, political, cultural, sociological, philosophical and ethical dimensions of these notions and articulate an analytic understanding of how they interact. • Analyse and identify the ways in which human and non-human actors attempt to reverse or modify ongoing global and planetary processes. • Appreciate the normative dimension of the state of the earth and what it takes to change it. • Critically engage different philosophical arguments about the ethical desirability of possible futures.

The development and diffusion of science innovative technologies is indispensable for modern society. However, despite its benefits, the development of science and technology is not without various risks and social problems. So far as we are going to make societal decisions for the use of science and technologies with diverse social implications that encompass both risks and benefits, sometimes involving values implications, there is a need for mechanisms of decision making and management of the development and utilization of science and technology. Decisions can be different depending on environmental, institutional and cultural conditions. In addition, innovative policy instruments/ mechanisms to deal with rapidly changing science and technology, including regulatory measures, are required for implementing decisions. This course will deal with wide range of issues from local to global levels faced at the interface areas between science, technology and public policy from comparative perspective of Japan, the US and Europe. It offers key theoretical issues surrounding Science and Technology and provides students with the tools and frameworks, such as risk assessment/ management and transition management, to analyze them. This course invites students from both natural science backgrounds (i.e. the graduate school of engineering, new frontier science and so on) and social science backgrounds (graduate school of public policy, law and politics, and economics and public policy). We expect students to acquire interdisciplinary perspective in addition to their primary major, which is one of the critical skill in analyzing complex social technical issues posed by science and technology.

In this course, students learn about STS (Science, Technology and Society) through case studies. What is this called science? How can we manage the conflicts between S&T and Society? Who are the experts? These questions appear in various issues around us, such as the pandemic of COVID-19, environmental problems, disasters, and governance of emerging technologies. In this course, we learn about, and discuss cases from STS perspectives. Students are required to do their own case analysis in their final report.

In this course, students learn about STS (Science, Technology and Society) through case studies. What is this called science? How can we manage the conflicts between S&T and Society? Who are the experts? These questions appear in various issues around us, such as the pandemic of COVID-19, environmental problems, disasters, and governance of emerging technologies. In this course, we learn about, and discuss cases from STS perspectives. Students are required to do their own case analysis in their final report.

Immerse yourself in the vibrant and evolving field of visual and media ethnography, where theoretical exploration seamlessly intertwines with hands-on application in photography and filmmaking for scientific research. This comprehensive course delves into the nuanced realms of social documentation and cultural examination across global contexts, fostering a deep appreciation for the synergy between research methodologies and artistic expression. Guiding students through a multifaceted learning journey, this course embarks on "mini-fieldwork" expeditions that unravel within the tapestry of everyday life. Armed with cameras and microphones, students adeptly collect audio-visual data, capturing the essence of human experiences in diverse settings. These candid recordings lay the foundation for the creative process that follows. The subsequent stages of the course center around collaborative engagement. Screenings of the collected "rushes" form the basis for insightful group discussions, affording students the opportunity to dissect, critique, and appreciate the diverse array of audio-visual narratives that emerge. These exchanges enrich perspectives and contribute to the refinement of individual projects. Harnessing the raw materials from their fieldwork, students transition into the role of editors, weaving together captured moments into coherent and evocative narratives. This transformative process not only encapsulates the essence of the subject matter but also reflects the intricate dance between filmmaking and context-specific storytelling. As the course draws to a close, participants will have acquired more than the skills to create compelling ethnographic and transcultural documentary films. They will have gained a profound understanding of filmic composition, montage intricacies, and the art of seamless editing. Through meticulously curated film screenings, theoretical insights will further elucidate the foundational principles that underscore impactful visual storytelling. Ultimately, graduates of this course will emerge as skillful visual ethnographer and filmmaker of thought-provoking ethnographic documentaries. Armed with the ability to leverage their collected audio-visual materials, they will weave narratives that resonate with authenticity. Simultaneously, they will possess the discernment to critically analyze and appreciate the nuances of film construction, propelling them into the ranks of skilled visual storytellers with a comprehensive and holistic understanding of their craft. Learning Goals: By the end of the course, students will have the skills to: •Display a fundamental understanding of theory and methodology in visual and media ethnography. •Competently employ a video camera as a tool for comprehensive fieldwork research. •Proficiently edit ethnographic and documentary films to convey impactful narratives. •Articulate the intricate connections between filmic narratives and distinct socio-cultural milieus. •Thoroughly prepare for supervised editing processes, organize systematic workflows, and infuse personal creativity to elevate storytelling prowess through the video medium.

This course introduces students to the contemporary international relations of Japan. The foreign policymaking of Japan will be placed in broader context through reference to general theories of international relations, social scientific methods of causal inference, and relevant contemporary policy issues. The course will be conducted entirely in English.